What is so hard to understand about the proper use of the "n" word?

Question

black peoples opinion vary on the use of the word. some black people think it is unacceptable to use the word at all but on the other hand some black people use it as a term of endearment towards their black friends and i blindly accept any interpetation of the word usage form any black person. but the black people that use it have changed how they define the word from a negative one to a positive one...what is wrong with that? and why do white people feel that because we use the word with each other that they are entitled to use the word or that because they cannot say neither can we? is it hard to accept that the rule for acceptable usage of the word is based on a double standard...black people can use it others cannot? by the way i feel the same way about "c" word with white people they can use it i cant. the option to use this word is earned by going thru the black experience and the only way one can really go thru the black experience is to be black. opinions please

Answer 1

I personally reserve the right to f*ck up any white person who uses the word.



To anyone who has a problem with that: n*gga please.

Answer 2

The problem is that groups like the ACLU, the media and many community leaders jump all over any white celebrity or comedian who utters the n word, but are perfectly fine letting Chris Rock toss out the c word in his routine.



That's a double standard.



Obviously context matters. No one took offense to Jackie Chan's use of the n-word in Rush Hour because it was so clearly a joke- he was playing the clueless foreigner (another comedic stereotype) trying to emulate what Chris Tucker had just said, and the reactions of the actors made it even funnier.



Michael Richards on the other hand- it wasn't part of any prepared material. He got pissed off and the wrong word came out in the ugliest way possible- Steve Harvey might have been able to get away with saying the same thing, if he did it with a smile. It's kind of like the difference between a man calling a woman the b-word directly, and another woman doing it sarcastically. The former is seen as much uglier, and there would be hell to pay.

Answer 3

Personally, I believe the double standard is completely inappropriate.



If it's acceptable for you to use the term with your friends, then it should be an acceptable term of use by any of your friends, black or not.



I really feel that the same qualifies when it's used in a negative connotation. I can't count how many times I've heard people in the neighborhood use the term correcting other blacks (you're just stupid a** n** etc.. etc..) Now, I've also been told that there is a difference between a n*** and a black person, and anybody who's dealt with the 'everybody's a racist and you owe me' type and then also worked with excellent african americans like my old first sergeant knows the difference.

Answer 4

first of all. today there are many who do not go through the same black experience that you do. Second. the N word was never a positive word. Black people started using it because they were called it so much. Not because it was a word of encouragement. third as long as you just see me as a color. there will continue to be a racial problem here in America. When you ( and everybody else) can see me as person and not as a N, then the problem will start to go away.

Answer 5

I am black and I hate it when people say the "n" word, black or otherwise. I was called it too much as a youngster and would never use a word as a term of endearment when it was once (and still is) used as a term to belittle an entire people.



This is what the Merriam-Webster dictionary says this word means: Main Entry: ***·ger

Pronunciation: 'ni-g&r

Function: noun

Etymology: alteration of earlier neger, from Middle French negre, from Spanish or Portuguese *****, from ***** black, from Latin niger

1 usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : a black person

2 usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : a member of any dark-skinned race

3 : a member of a socially disadvantaged class of persons

usage ****** in senses 1 and 2 can be found in the works of such writers of the past as Joseph Conrad, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens, but it now ranks as perhaps the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in English. Its use by and among blacks is not always intended or taken as offensive, but, except in sense 3, it is otherwise a word expressive of racial hatred and bigotry.



Do you really want to call your friend that? I didn't think so. I think that it's ignorant in itself to use a term as a "joke" because that's what slave owners called our ancestors. I also think that it's hypocritical to use that term and then get mad at your white friends for using it when they are using it in the same way that you are.



I hate that word and it will be too soon if I hear it again. I also think that black people who use the "n" word are not as sophisticated or educated as black people who do not use the word. From my experience, too, the black people that I hear say that word are grossly less successful than myself or other blacks who do not use that word. It shows that you have no respect for your culture or yourself.

Answer 6

Imagine this. There is a word. Certain people can say it and others cannot. The acceptability is based on the color of your skin. The privileged can say it without regard for who is around. They can use it in popular culture. TV, movies, music, print. But only the privileged are allowed to use it. If one of the unprivileged uses it, they are threatened with physical violence, they can loose their job or even have to apologize on letterman.



No matter what the word may be, this goes against the principals of equality and civilized behavior.

Answer 7

The "n" word has had such a negative connotation for so long, that there are still mixed feelings about it. There is nothing wrong with using it as a term of endearment with those who are close to you. But people of generations before, do not like that too much. So, its really about respect. People need to watch who and where they say it. There is nothing wrong with taking something negative and making it positive, but since there are still people who are not as accepting, we have to be respectful of them. Anyone should be able to say any word they want, but they need to be respectful about it. You don't know who's around that you could be offending.



I do not say the "n" word because I was raised not to because of the negativity that surrounds it.

Answer 8

My opinion is that it is racist to say that one group can use a word becuase they've "experienced" something and another cannot use that word.



If one group thinks it is fine to use it, then they'd better get used to everyone using it. Jews don't go around calling each other the "k" word because they don't want anyone using that word. I don't use the "c" word because I don't find it to be relevant.



BTW, YOU have not really had to go through the "experience" of your forebears so you are not really entitled to the use of the word.

Answer 9

I am 49 years old,white, married to a black man, with a 15 year old bi-racial daughter... and I can think of NO time or sitation that the 'n' word is appropriate. No words with derrogatory meanings behind them are useful in speaking about another human being, no matter WHAT your ulterior motives were.

Answer 10

Okay, bub, whatcha gonna do for the economy here? I guess, the only way you'll know for yourself if it is the word of God or not, is to read it and apply it for yourself. I hate to use this as an illustration, but it's like eating an orange. I eat it, and can tell you all abot it, the texture,aroma,flavor,etc., then I try to tell you...you never ate one. You won't "get" it until you eat one. You won't see it's the word of God until you get into it for yourself. Does Bush know about your self-appointment?

Answer 11

I don't use that word in any context as I think it's degrading to the many persons of color that I call friend.



However, to me the word isn't an expression of color or race. I feel is more an indication of attitude. I have known many people that I would call this who are black and just as many or more that are white.

Answer 12

Your question is worded as, "What is so hard to understand about..." and then you go on to a 15-line explanation of the rules for using the word, various people's opinions about using it, and possible interpretations of people who use the word.



It IS hard to understand!!



My way of dealing with it is that offense is the eye of the offendee. If someone is called that word, it is up to them to respond or not to respond with offense. It should not be a media issue or up to the masses to be offended on behalf of anyone else, whether an individual or a whole race of people.



But again, as you and your answerers have proven, it IS hard to understand, so the next time you hear it used inappropriately and want to do something about it, give the person the benefit of the doubt and attempt to correct them GENTLY instead of screaming racist! and having them arrested.

Answer 13

Its more of why can a african american person say it but a caucasian can't? We are all people, so we should all get equal rights, including a white person being able to say the "n" word just as a black person can. There i'm not saying to use it negativly, just the same way a african american person can.

Answer 14

The problem is not with the word per se.

It is how the word was used, in what context and why it was said and it means a derogatory term.



There are people who use words starts with letters like 'f', 'c', 'p'.



Now, if used in jest, it is OK. If meant to hurt someone or harm someone then it should get the reaction that it was not tolerated and that such words cannot be used and it should stop.



Kapish?

Answer 15

I don't use the word at all because if a white person says it usually it is meant in a different way then if one black person uses it with another

Answer 16

Here's what works for me: If I'm going to use it (and I do often) then I shouldn't be surprised or upset if others do also. However, when used purely in a derogatory manner or to hurt me, then I usually brush it off or set the person (either black, white or other) straight.

Answer 17

Contrary to popular belief there is never a proper use of a word such as that. Just because it's used widely and accepted by some doesn't mean it's no longer a bad word.



A bad word is a bad word. Forever.

Answer 18

I personally look at all people as fellow humans. God created us equally and we will be judged on our own merits. Using the N word, brings back the whole issue of Slavery, we have been there, now let's continue to go forward and not backwards. Address each person you meet by their given name and you won't have any trouble.

Answer 19

Everyone should live by the same standards. This is the only way to eradicate racism.



The 'n word' should not be used by anyone to address anyone else. Period.

Answer 20

ridiculous....

either a word is acceptable or it isn't....

why would anyone want to use language as yet another way to exaserbate the differences between the races???

Answer 21

I don't think anyone should be using the "n" word....black or white or whatever! It makes me cringe when I hear it.

Answer 22

Freedom of speech must come with a license to offend.

Answer 23

It sounds a little racist to define your experience by your color.

Answer 24

Why is it that nobody can use the "n" word but the "n"'s themselves?

Answer 25

I agree with you.

Answer 26

Here we go... again.